Signal lantern



May 2, 1939- R. A.SHI L ABARGER 2,156,742

SIGNAL LANTERN l Filed Sept. 2, 1937 .2 SheecS--Sheetl l A omeys Mayv 2, 1939 R. A. SHELLABARGER 2,156,742

S IGNAL LANTERN Filed Sept. 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JMG! @mi Inventor 73.4% Vaglia avyeiw r Patented May 2, 1939 y s saws ta' SIGNAL LANTERN Application September 2, i937, Seriai No. isti/306 The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in signal devices of the illuminated type and more particularly to a lantern especially adapted ior use in railroad service.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a lantern which can be normally used for illuminating the Way for the trainman and which can be readily converted instantly for use as a signaling lantern.

Another important object of the invention is to conne both the regulation red lantern and white lantern into one composite structure so that while the trainman will always' have a white `light to illuminate his way, he can by a slight manipulation convert the lantern into use as a red lantern without at the same time interfering with the white light of the solitary lantern being used to illuminate the trainmans way.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following speciiication.

In the drawings:

Figure l represents a vertical sectional view through the lantern.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the lantern.

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure l.

Figure a is a fragmentary side elevational view of the upper portion of the lantern.

Figure 5 is la top plan View of the contact battery supporting plate.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan View of the switch contact plate.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view through the lower portion of the red shade.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View on the line li-S of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings wherein like nu merals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 denotes the outside cylindrical case, while numeral l5 denotes the inside cylindrical case. These cases 5 4? are in spaced relation, dening an annular compartment l for the reception of the red lantern shade denoted gener- 45 ally by numeral d.

This shade t consists of the cylindrical-shaped pane .'l of Celluloid or some other suitable nmaterial colored red. This shade is provided with the upper rim lil and the lower rim ll and stays 50 l2 extend vertically between the upper and lower rims to straighten the shade assembly.

Downwardly flaring leg members i3 extend from the outer case 5 and are connected at their lower ends by the annular rail lli. Down-- 55 wardly extending guide members l5 depend from (Cl. EMM-MLM) the inner case ii and terminate at their lower ends adjacent the lower ends of the legs it, these guide members iii at their lower ends being provided with pivotal iingers it which are swingn able to overlap the lower portions of the legs i3 so that openings'in the fingers and legs can register and through which registering openings Cotter pins or other securing means il can be disposed so that these iingers it will serve to support the shade 8 against downward displacement.' It is preferable that the upper portion of the space l' be constricted so that when the shade t is forced upwardly it will be rietionally retained against re-settling.

Numeral it denotes the enlarged inverted U- shaped handle which is secured detachably to the case 5 by suitable attaching means i9. The upper portion of the case 5 converges inwardly against the case t and a cap il@ is provided which has bayonet slots 2l therein for receiving the pins Inside of the case il is the usual battery 23 having the central Contact lill and 01T- center contact 25 for engagement with the center contact 2t and ring contact 2 on the insulating plate 2t. The bottom side of this insulating plate 2i? has the bulb engaging pins 29-3@ extending from the plates tl--iZ thereon. A strap iid is connected with the center contact 26 and bridges the plates Each of the plates di-tii is provided with a short leg 35i. One leg 'sli is located in close proximity to the contact 35 while the other leg is located in close proximity to the contact 35. Screw members dll-Sis serving as contactors are feedable upwardly through the bottom 39 of the case t to bridge either the contacts dlt-35 or 3& 355 to result in the energization of either one of the lamps @lli-di. The lower rim lll of the shade d can have one or more nger tabs it thereon to facilitate grasping of the lower portion of the shade and the lowering of the same.

Normally the lantern with the shade 23 in elevated position is used as a lantern to light the way for the traclrman or other railroad man, but when he needs a red signal light, all that is necessary is to grasp one of the tabs ft2 and pull the red shade d downwardly. The lantern is now adapted for composite use in that red light will emanate laterally from the shade while white light will be cast downwardly onto the ground to illuminate the way for the workman.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms7 it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A lantern comprising a cylindrical case having one end open and disposed lowermost and provided with an annular shade chamber opening through the lower end of the case, said chamber tapering towards the upper end of the case, means for mounting an electric illuminating means in the case, an annular colored shade slidable in the chamber and adapted to frictionally engage with walls of the chamber when moved fully therein, depending legs on the case and arranged in diverging relation, an annular member connecting the lower ends of the legs and providing a rest, depending guide members on the case inwardly of the legs and spaced therefrom to coact therewith in guiding the shade when moved outwardly of the chamber, and stop iingers pivoted on the guide member and detachably connected with the legs to limit the move- 10 ment of the shade outwardly of the chamber. ROLLA A. SHELLABARGER. 

